By Emma Drongowski, Junior
Prior to formal recruitment my freshmen year, the only Greek letter I was familiar with was Sigma, and that is largely because it caused me to get a C in math my junior year of high school. Nobody in my family is part of a Greek organization, and I had no real reference point to understand what sorority or fraternity life was like. I had gotten an impression from movies, TV shows, Facebook posts, and news headlines, none of which were particularly positive. While I understood why Greek life would appeal to some, I didn’t think it was my cup of tea, and I didn’t think I was coordinated enough to do the complicated hand symbols.
Despite my preconceived notions, it was impossible to ignore or dispute the vibrant, colorful, positive enthusiasm of Greek Life at OWU. I was constantly impressed with the organizations with Greek letters that I could never remember in the correct order (for a month leading up to recruitment, I referred to my future house as Theta Kappa Alpha), and I began to seriously consider going through Formal Recruitment. The women around me were constantly defying my stereotype of a Sorority Woman. As I was becoming more sure that it would be something that I was interested in, I became more anxious about telling others of my growing interest. While my family never discouraged me from going Greek, I know that they were skeptical of the process. I knew that others held the exact same stereotypes that I did, and was genuinely concerned that I would be judged based on my association with a Greek Organization.
Prior to formal recruitment my freshmen year, the only Greek letter I was familiar with was Sigma, and that is largely because it caused me to get a C in math my junior year of high school. Nobody in my family is part of a Greek organization, and I had no real reference point to understand what sorority or fraternity life was like. I had gotten an impression from movies, TV shows, Facebook posts, and news headlines, none of which were particularly positive. While I understood why Greek life would appeal to some, I didn’t think it was my cup of tea, and I didn’t think I was coordinated enough to do the complicated hand symbols.
Despite my preconceived notions, it was impossible to ignore or dispute the vibrant, colorful, positive enthusiasm of Greek Life at OWU. I was constantly impressed with the organizations with Greek letters that I could never remember in the correct order (for a month leading up to recruitment, I referred to my future house as Theta Kappa Alpha), and I began to seriously consider going through Formal Recruitment. The women around me were constantly defying my stereotype of a Sorority Woman. As I was becoming more sure that it would be something that I was interested in, I became more anxious about telling others of my growing interest. While my family never discouraged me from going Greek, I know that they were skeptical of the process. I knew that others held the exact same stereotypes that I did, and was genuinely concerned that I would be judged based on my association with a Greek Organization.
Despite my concerns, the woman who eventually would be my great-grand-big convinced me to try out recruitment, and I signed up long before I told anyone that I had. God Bless my mother, who would anxiously call after each day of recruitment, asking which houses I had been asked back to. She learned the correct names of the houses sooner than I did, and quizzed me on the ones that I liked best. She began to see how important the process had come to me, and was more relieved that I was when it was all over, eager for me to find my home away from home. Come Monday, after being told to go find our bids, I found myself sprinting across the snow to our dorms, and then sprinting again back to the houses to join the women I would soon have the honor of calling my sisters. As I sprinted through the freezing weather, I texted my mom to let her know the exciting news. She could tell how excited I was, and joined me (through technology) in celebrating.
Prepared for the onslaught of teasing and questions, I had long speeches rehearsed on the benefits of Greek life, I could list a litany of facts on Greek involvement and GPA, and I could vehemently shoot down criticisms of sorority life…and yet I have found I have used my speeches, lists, or arguments very little.
Prepared for the onslaught of teasing and questions, I had long speeches rehearsed on the benefits of Greek life, I could list a litany of facts on Greek involvement and GPA, and I could vehemently shoot down criticisms of sorority life…and yet I have found I have used my speeches, lists, or arguments very little.
My family and friends skepticism did not go away suddenly because I joined and claimed I loved it, but instead they saw for themselves how Kappa Alpha Theta has been an amazing positive force in my life for the past two years. The best moment of my Greek experience so far was when I was going through a minor crisis (as college students are prone to do), and called my mom to tell her how my sisters had been there for me every step of the way. “Wow,” she said, “you are really lucky to have such amazing sisters.” I am. I really am.
I have not had to convince them that my sisters have been my biggest cheerleaders, instead they saw that when I organized an event for another club I was involved in, half of the audience was my sisters, excited to support me. I have not had to prove that my sisters were there for me when times got tough, because my family knows that they were there to drive me to the airport at 10pm for a family emergency, and then back again at 6 am when my flight was canceled. I have not had to assure them that Greek life has taught me leadership skills, instead they saw how I have grown more confident and been willing to take risks for my future.
While I don’t think that my biological older sister will ever get used to me calling other women my sisters, and my dad has every right to tease me about the silly Theta songs that I sing, my family has seen first hand how Kappa Alpha Theta has been integral part of my college experience. They are nothing but supportive of this amazing organization that I get to be a part of for the rest of my life. My sisters have defied every stereotype I had going into college. They are intelligent, caring, thoughtful, wise, silly, generous, compassionate, creative, energetic, and yes…they do lots of weird hand symbols that I still am pretty bad at. Through my experience with Kappa Alpha Theta, I have gotten rid of any fear I had about being part of a Greek Organization, and would gladly shout from the rooftops, “I AM A SORORITY WOMAN!”
I have not had to convince them that my sisters have been my biggest cheerleaders, instead they saw that when I organized an event for another club I was involved in, half of the audience was my sisters, excited to support me. I have not had to prove that my sisters were there for me when times got tough, because my family knows that they were there to drive me to the airport at 10pm for a family emergency, and then back again at 6 am when my flight was canceled. I have not had to assure them that Greek life has taught me leadership skills, instead they saw how I have grown more confident and been willing to take risks for my future.
While I don’t think that my biological older sister will ever get used to me calling other women my sisters, and my dad has every right to tease me about the silly Theta songs that I sing, my family has seen first hand how Kappa Alpha Theta has been integral part of my college experience. They are nothing but supportive of this amazing organization that I get to be a part of for the rest of my life. My sisters have defied every stereotype I had going into college. They are intelligent, caring, thoughtful, wise, silly, generous, compassionate, creative, energetic, and yes…they do lots of weird hand symbols that I still am pretty bad at. Through my experience with Kappa Alpha Theta, I have gotten rid of any fear I had about being part of a Greek Organization, and would gladly shout from the rooftops, “I AM A SORORITY WOMAN!”